Adjustable Sanitary Hose Donut

ABSTRACT

An adjustable sanitary hose donut has a variable inner diameter, which allows the adjustable sanitary hose donut to be used with multiple hoses having different diameters. The adjustable sanitary hose donut has an annular body and a fastener. The annular body has a plurality of sectors that are divided by a plurality of flex points. The plurality of flex points allows the plurality of sectors to bend inwards or outwards from one another in order to adjust the inner diameter of the annular body. A first overlapping section and a second overlapping section of the annular body also aid in allowing the inner diameter of the annular body to expand or contract. The fastener is positioned through both the first overlapping section and the second overlapping section and is used to lock the annular body at the desired inner diameter.

The current application claims a priority to the U.S. Provisional Patentapplication Ser. No. 61/705,182 filed on Sep. 25, 2012.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates generally to a hose collar. Morespecifically, the present invention is a hose donut having a variableinner diameter. Furthermore, the present invention can function as apipe hanger.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Processing plants around the country use hoses to pump fluids and otherproducts from one area to another. Many of these processing plantsutilize hose collars, which are attached around the exterior of thehose. These hose collars serve a number of purposes and are often madeout of rubber or plastic material. One function of hose collars is toprotect the exterior of the hose, as hoses are often dragged across theground. Another function of hose collars is to protect the hose fittingsfrom being damaged, as the hose fittings are costly. A third functionprovided by hose collars is to raise the entire hose off of the groundin order to protect the hose from any contaminants.

While current hose collars are able to provide the benefits describedabove, the problem remains that not all hoses have the same outerdiameter. Even the same hose may have outer diameter tolerancevariations along its length, resulting in a hose collar fitting tightaround one end, while fitting loose around the opposing end. Making ahose collar that fits various hose outer diameters properly and tightlyhas always been extremely difficult. While a hose collar could be madeto fit each and every individual hose, it would not be practical as itwould require a multitude of hose collar sizes to satisfy every need.Another problem with current hose collars is that many cannot beinstalled in the field or require the hose fitting to first be removed.The best solution has always been to have an adjustable hose collar thatcan be easily attached to or removed from a hose while in the field.

Therefore it is the object of the present invention to provide a hosecollar having a variable inner diameter, such that the hose collar canbe fitted around a multitude of hoses having different outer diameters.The present invention provides a circular one piece body having aplurality of flex points. The plurality of flex points allows the onepiece body to be opened or closed in order to adjust the inner diameterof the one piece body. A fastener is used to secure the one piece bodyat the desired diameter once the hose collar has been fitted around ahose. In addition to providing the functions of a hose collar, thepresent invention can also be designed to function as an adjustable pipehanger.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the present invention in a closedposition.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the present invention is an openposition.

FIG. 3 is a front elevational view of the adjustable sanitary hose donutattached to a hose.

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the adjustable sanitary hose donutattached to a hose.

FIG. 5 is a front elevational view of the present invention adapted as ahose/pipe hanger.

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of an alternative embodiment of the presentinvention, with the plurality of sectors being connected by a flexiblestrap.

FIG. 7 is a front elevational sectional view of the adjustable sanitaryhose donut in the alternative embodiment depicted in FIG. 6.

FIG. 8 is a perspective view of another alternative embodiment of thepresent invention, with the plurality of sectors being connected by anelastic strap.

FIG. 9 is a top plan view of the adjustable sanitary hose donut in thealternative embodiment depicted in FIG. 8.

DETAIL DESCRIPTIONS OF THE INVENTION

All illustrations of the drawings are for the purpose of describingselected versions of the present invention and are not intended to limitthe scope of the present invention.

The present invention is an adjustable sanitary hose donut that can beused with multiple hoses having different outer diameters. In thepreferred embodiment of the present invention, the adjustable sanitaryhose donut is designed to have an inner diameter tolerance of half aninch, however, the adjustable sanitary hose donut may be designed tohave any other inner diameter tolerance. The adjustable sanitary hosedonut elevates the hose to which the adjustable sanitary hose donut isattached and aids in protecting the hose fitting and the hose exteriorfrom being damaged.

In reference to FIG. 1, the adjustable sanitary hose donut comprises anannular body 1 and a fastener 2. The annular body 1 is a single piecethat forms a ring that can be opened along one section. Ideally theannular body 1 is created through injection molding, although it ispossible for any other known manufacturing process to be used. Thefastener 2 is used to couple the two open ends of the annular body 1together in order to retain the desired inner diameter if the adjustablesanitary hose donut. In the preferred embodiment of the presentinvention, the annular body 1 is constructed from a polyurethane ornylon material and the fastener 2 is constructed from stainless steel,however, it is possible for any number of other materials to be used inthe construction of the annular body 1 or the fastener 2.

In reference to FIG. 2-3, the annular body 1 comprises a center point11, a first overlapping section 12, a second overlapping section 13, aplurality of sectors 14, and a plurality of flex points 15. The centerpoint 11 serves as a reference point for which the plurality of sectors14 and the plurality of flex points 15 are radially positioned around.The center point 11 is coincident with the central axis of a hose, whenthe adjustable sanitary hose donut is attached to the hose. Theplurality of flex points 15 and the plurality of sectors 14 arealternated in position around the center point 11. The plurality ofsectors 14 are curved rigid sections of the annular body 1, while theplurality of flex points 15 allows each of the plurality of sectors 14to be bent towards or away from each other in order to adjust the innerdiameter of the annular body 1. Each of the plurality of flex points 15comprises an elastic portion 151 and at least one open space 152. Theelastic portion 151 of each of the plurality of flex points 15 isconnected to the plurality of sectors 14 and serves as a flexible jointbetween two adjacent sectors. The at least one open space 152 ispositioned adjacent to the elastic portion 151, thus providing thenecessary empty space into which the plurality of sectors 14 can bebent.

The plurality of sectors 14 comprises a first sector 141 and a secondsector 143. The first overlapping section 12 is adjacently connected tothe first sector 141, while the second overlapping section 13 isadjacently connected to the second sector 143. The first overlappingsection 12 and the second overlapping section 13 are positioned suchthat they slidably engage one another along one side. The positioning ofthe first overlapping section 12 can be adjusted in relation to thesecond overlapping section 13 in order to vary the inner diameter of theannular body 1. The first overlapping section 12 and the secondoverlapping section 13 can also be separated from one another in orderto create an open section in the annular body 1 through which the hosecan be laterally positioned into the adjustable sanitary hose donut.When the first overlapping section 12 and the second overlapping section13 are in the desired position, the fastener 2 is tightened in order toattach the first overlapping section 12 to the second overlappingsection 13.

The first overlapping section 12 comprises a size adjustment slot 121,while the second overlapping section 13 comprises a fastener slot 131.The size adjustment slot 121 traverses through the first overlappingsection 12 and is radially positioned along the first overlappingsection 12. The fastener slot 131 traverses through the secondoverlapping section 13 and is positioned along the second overlappingsection 13 opposite the second sector 143. The fastener slot 131 is asingle hole that is aligned with the size adjustment slot 121. The sizeadjustment slot 121 is an elongated slit, such that as the position ofthe first overlapping section 12 is adjusted in relation to the secondoverlapping section 13, the fastener slot 131 and the size adjustmentslot 121 remain aligned.

The fastener 2 is used to couple the first overlapping section 12 to thesecond overlapping section 13 and comprises a nut 21 and a bolt 22. Whenthe fastener 2 is in use, the bolt 22 traverses through both thefastener slot 131 and the size adjustment slot 121. The head of the bolt22 rests within an indent surrounding the fastener slot 131, such thatthe head of the bolt 22 rests flush with the outer surface of the secondoverlapping section 13. The indent also acts to hold the bolt 22 in afixed position so that the nut 21 can be tightened when the nut 21 isthreadably engaged to the bolt 22. Ideally the nut 21 is a wing nut 21,which allows the fastener 2 to more readily be tightened by a userwithout the use of additional tools. It is also possible for thefastener 2 to be any other device capable of clamping the firstoverlapping section 12 and second overlapping section 13 together in afixed position.

In reference to FIG. 5, the adjustable sanitary hose donut can also beadapted to function as a pipe hanger. In such an instance, theadjustable sanitary hose donut further comprises a hanger 3 and theannular body 1 further comprises a hanger receiver 16. The hanger 3 ispositioned into the hanger receiver 16 and is in that way attached tothe plurality of sectors 14. The hanger receiver 16 is a threaded holethat laterally traverses into plurality of sectors 14, while the hanger3 consists of a flat plate concentrically connected to a threaded rod.The threaded rod is screwed into the hanger receiver 16 and the flatplate is then welded onto another surface, such as the ceiling or wall,thus allowing a pipe or hose to be supported along said surface. It isalso possible for the hanger 3 to be any other device that allows theannular body 1 to be mounted to a surface or other fixture, such as ahook, loop, etc.

In reference to FIG. 6-7, in an alternative embodiment of the presentinvention, the adjustable sanitary hose donut comprises only the annularbody 1. The annular body 1 further comprises an annular channel 17 and aflexible strap 18. The annular channel 17 traverses through each of theplurality of sectors 14, with the flexible strap 18 being positionedwithin the annular channel 17. Each of the plurality of sectors 14 isseparate from one another, with the portion of the flexible strap 18running in between each of the plurality of sectors 14 serving as theelastic portion 151. The plurality of sectors 14 has a first sector 141to which the flexible strap 18 is secured. The first sector 141comprises a clamp 142 with which the length of the flexible strap 18 canbe adjusted. The flexible strap 18 comprises a first end 181 and asecond end 182 being positioned opposite of each other along theflexible strap 18. The first end 181 is connected to the first sector141 within the receiving channel, providing an anchor point for theflexible strap 18. The clamp 142 is positioned opposite the first end181 along the first sector 141. The flexible strap 18 traverses throughthe plurality of sectors 14 and then traverses through the clamp 142into the annular channel 17 in the first sector 141. When the desiredlength of the flexible strap 18 has been inserted through the clamp 142into the annular channel 17 in the first sector 141, the clamp 142 istightened in order to hold the second end 182 of the flexible strap 18in place. The clamp 142 can be any type of device used to securely holdthe flexible strap 18 in place.

In reference to FIG. 8-9, in another alternative embodiment of thepresent invention, the annular body 1 again comprises the annularchannel 17 and the flexible strap 18, with the flexible strap 18 beingelastic. The annular channel 17 laterally traverses into the pluralityof sectors 14, such that flexible strap 18 is visible around theperimeter of the annular body 1, when the flexible strap 18 ispositioned within the annular channel 17. Each of the plurality ofsectors 14 comprises a first flange 145 and a second flange 146. Thefirst flange 145 and the second flange 146 are positioned opposite ofeach other within the annular channel 17. In this way, the flexiblestrap 18 can be snapped in and out of place within the annular channel17, while the first flange 145 and the second flange 146 act to retainthe position of the flexible strap 18 when the flexible strap 18 is inplace within the annular channel 17.

Although the invention has been explained in relation to its preferredembodiment, it is to be understood that many other possiblemodifications and variations can be made without departing from thespirit and scope of the invention as hereinafter claimed.

What is claimed is:
 1. An adjustable sanitary hose donut comprises: anannular body; the annular body comprises a center point, a plurality ofsectors, and a plurality of flex points; each of the plurality of flexpoints comprises an elastic portion and an at least one open space; theplurality of sectors and the plurality of flex points being radiallypositioned around the center point, wherein the center point iscoincident with the central axis of a hose; the plurality of flex pointsbeing alternated with the plurality of sectors; and the at least oneopen space being positioned adjacent to the elastic portion.
 2. Theadjustable sanitary hose donut as claimed in claim 1 comprises: theelastic portion of each of the plurality of flex points being connectedto the plurality of sectors.
 3. The adjustable sanitary hose donut asclaimed in claim 1 comprises: the adjustable sanitary hose donut furthercomprises a fastener; the annular body further comprises a firstoverlapping section and a second overlapping section; the plurality ofsectors comprises a first sector and a second sector; the firstoverlapping section being adjacently connected to the first sector; thesecond overlapping section being adjacently connected to the secondsector; and the second overlapping section being attached to the firstoverlapping section by the fastener.
 4. The adjustable sanitary hosedonut as claimed in claim 1 comprises: the annular body furthercomprises a first overlapping section; the first overlapping sectioncomprises a size adjustment slot; the size adjustment slot traversingthrough the first overlapping section; and the size adjustment slotbeing radially positioned along the first overlapping section.
 5. Theadjustable sanitary hose donut as claimed in claim 1 comprises: theannular body further comprises a second overlapping section; the secondoverlapping section comprises a fastener slot; the fastener slottraversing through the second overlapping section; and
 6. The adjustablesanitary hose donut as claimed in claim 1 comprises: the adjustablesanitary hose donut further comprises a fastener; the annular bodyfurther comprises a first overlapping section and a second overlappingsection; the fastener comprises a nut and a bolt; the first overlappingsection comprises a size adjustment slot; the second overlapping sectioncomprises a fastener slot; the size adjustment slot traversing throughthe first overlapping section; the fastener slot traversing through thesecond overlapping section; the bolt traversing through both thefastener slot and the size adjustment slot; and the nut threadablyengaging the bolt, wherein the nut and the bolt clamp the firstoverlapping section and the second overlapping section together.
 7. Theadjustable sanitary hose donut as claimed in claim 1 comprises: theannular body further comprises an annular channel and a flexible strap;the annular channel traversing through each of the plurality of sectors;and the flexible strap being positioned within the annular channel. 8.The adjustable sanitary hose donut as claimed in claim 1 comprises: theannular body further comprises an annular channel and a flexible strap;the flexible strap comprises a first end and a second end; the pluralityof sectors comprises a first sector; the first sector comprises a clamp;the annular channel traversing through the first sector; the first endbeing connected to the first sector within the annular channel; theclamp being positioned opposite the first end along the first sector;and the second end traversing through the clamp into the annularchannel.
 9. The adjustable sanitary hose donut as claimed in claim 1comprises: the annular body further comprises an annular channel; eachof the plurality of sectors comprises a first flange and a secondflange; the annular channel laterally traversing into each of theplurality of sectors; and the first flange and the second flange beingpositioned opposite each other within the annular channel, wherein thefirst flange and the second flange retain the position of a flexiblestrap within the annular channel.
 10. The adjustable sanitary hose donutas claimed in claim 1 comprises: the adjustable sanitary hose donutfurther comprises a hanger; the annular body further comprises a hangerreceiver; the hanger receiver laterally traversing into the plurality ofsectors; the hanger being attached to the plurality of sectors; and thehanger being positioned into the hanger receiver.
 11. An adjustablesanitary hose donut comprises: an annular body; a fastener; the annularbody comprises a center point, a first overlapping section, a secondoverlapping section, a plurality of sectors, and a plurality of flexpoints; the plurality of sectors comprises a first sector and a secondsector; each of the plurality of flex points comprises an elasticportion and an at least one open space; the plurality of sectors and theplurality of flex points being radially positioned around the centerpoint, wherein the center point is coincident with the central axis of ahose; the plurality of flex points being alternated with the pluralityof sectors; the elastic portion of each of the plurality of flex pointsbeing connected to the plurality of sectors; the at least one open spacebeing positioned adjacent to the elastic portion; the first overlappingsection being adjacently connected to the first sector; the secondoverlapping section being adjacently connected to the second sector; andthe second overlapping section being attached to the first overlappingsection by the fastener.
 12. The adjustable sanitary hose donut asclaimed in claim 11 comprises: the first overlapping section comprises asize adjustment slot; the size adjustment slot traversing through thefirst overlapping section; and the size adjustment slot being radiallypositioned along the first overlapping section.
 13. The adjustablesanitary hose donut as claimed in claim 11 comprises: the secondoverlapping section comprises a fastener slot; the fastener slottraversing through the second overlapping section; and the fastener slotbeing positioned along the second overlapping section opposite thesecond sector.
 14. The adjustable sanitary hose donut as claimed inclaim 11 comprises: the fastener comprises a nut and a bolt; the firstoverlapping section comprises a size adjustment slot; the secondoverlapping section comprises a fastener slot; the size adjustment slottraversing through the first overlapping section; the fastener slottraversing through the second overlapping section; the bolt traversingthrough both the fastener slot and the size adjustment slot; and the nutthreadably engaging the bolt, wherein the nut and the bolt clamp thefirst overlapping section and the second overlapping section together.15. The adjustable sanitary hose donut as claimed in claim 11 comprises:the adjustable sanitary hose donut further comprises a hanger; theannular body further comprises a hanger receiver; the hanger receiverlaterally traversing into the plurality of sectors; the hanger beingattached to the plurality of sectors; and the hanger being positionedinto the hanger receiver.
 16. An adjustable sanitary hose donutcomprises: an annular body; the annular body comprises a center point, aplurality of sectors, a plurality of flex points, an annular channel,and a flexible strap; each of the plurality of flex points comprises anelastic portion and an at least one open space; the plurality of sectorsand the plurality of flex points being radially positioned around thecenter point, wherein the center point is coincident with the centralaxis of a hose; the plurality of flex points being alternated with theplurality of sectors; the at least one open space being positionedadjacent to the elastic portion; the annular channel traversing througheach of the plurality of sectors; and the flexible strap beingpositioned within the annular channel.
 17. The adjustable sanitary hosedonut as claimed in claim 16 comprises: the flexible strap comprises afirst end and a second end; the plurality of sectors comprises a firstsector; the first sector comprises a clamp; the annular channeltraversing through the first sector; the first end being connected tothe first sector within the annular channel; the clamp being positionedopposite the first end along the first sector; and the second endtraversing through the clamp into the annular channel.
 18. Theadjustable sanitary hose donut as claimed in claim 16 comprises: each ofthe plurality of sectors comprises a first flange and a second flange;the annular channel laterally traversing into each of the plurality ofsectors; and the first flange and the second flange being positionedopposite each other within the annular channel, wherein the first flangeand the second flange retain the position of the flexible strap withinthe annular channel.
 19. The adjustable sanitary hose donut as claimedin claim 16 comprises: the adjustable sanitary hose donut furthercomprises a hanger; the annular body further comprises a hangerreceiver; the hanger receiver laterally traversing into the plurality ofsectors; the hanger being attached to the plurality of sectors; and thehanger being positioned into the hanger receiver.